Dewatering Applications
Improve Material Handling Before the Press
Vincent Corporation shredders are designed to reduce bulky and fibrous materials before processing, helping prepare difficult materials for more consistent handling and dewatering.
Our horizontal shredders are particularly well suited for materials such as citrus peel, whole fruit, produce waste, and other wet or fibrous materials. They are commonly used in conjunction with Vincent screw presses to prepare material before it enters the press.
Need to know which shredder is right for your application? Contact Vincent Corporation to discuss your material, capacity, and processing requirements.
Why Use a Shredder?
Some materials are simply easier to process after they have been reduced in size.
Bulky pieces, whole fruit, fibrous materials, and other difficult feedstocks can create challenges for downstream equipment. Shredding can break these materials into smaller pieces before they enter a screw press.
For screw press applications, properly prepared material can improve feeding and help the press handle material more effectively.
Vincent shredders are especially useful when:
- Material is too large or bulky for efficient processing
- Whole fruit or large pieces need to be broken down
- Fibrous material needs to be reduced before dewatering
- More consistent particle size is desired
- Material preparation is needed before entering a screw press
- A shredder is being incorporated into a larger processing system
The right configuration depends heavily on the material and the desired result. Vincent can help determine whether shredding is appropriate for your application.
How a Vincent Shredder Works
The Vincent Shredder is a horizontal machine with a 180-degree discharge area beneath the rotor.
Material enters the shredder from above and is torn apart by fixed blades rotating on a horizontal shaft. Depending on the application, the material can be discharged through a screen, through a stationary comb, or through an open discharge for a coarser grind.
Screen Discharge
Series VS shredders use a discharge screen. Different screen openings can be selected depending on the material and the desired degree of size reduction.
Comb Discharge
A stationary comb can be used instead of a screen to create a scissors-like cutting action. This configuration can be useful when slicing is preferred, although it is more susceptible to damage from tramp material.
Coarse Grinding
For applications where a specific particle size is not required, the shredder can operate without a screen or comb, providing a coarser grind.
Built for Wet and Dry Materials
Vincent shredders can handle both wet and dry materials.
Experience has shown that optimum performance is generally achieved with materials containing either more than 80% moisture or less than 20% moisture. Actual performance and throughput depend on the specific characteristics of the material and application.
Vincent can help evaluate your material and determine the appropriate shredder configuration.
Vincent Shredder Models
Vincent offers several shredder sizes for different processing requirements.
| Model | Approx. Maximum Capacity* (Pounds per Hour) |
Inlet (W x D in inches) |
Outlet (W x D in inches) |
Weight | Dimension Base by height in inches | Height in inches |
Motor HP |
| VS-8 | 4,000 lb/hr | 8-1/2″ × 8″ | 8-1/2″ × 8-1/2″ | 300 pounds | 12″ x 36″ x 16″ | 18″ | 5–15 |
| VS-12 | 10,000 lb/hr | 13″ × 12″ | 13-3/4″ × 13″ | 800 pounds | 16″ x 48″ x 20″ | 21-3/4″ | 10–20 |
| VS-18 | 40,000 lb/hr | 18″ × 18″ | 22″ × 18″ | 1,600 pounds | 24” x 60″ x 30″ | 31-3/4″ | 30–60 |
*Capacity varies considerably with the application. Published capacities are based on citrus waste and should not be treated as guaranteed throughput for other materials.
Please note: Dimensions and weights are only approximate
For applications requiring different configurations, Vincent can discuss available options and application-specific requirements.
Designed to Work with Vincent Screw Presses
A primary application for Vincent shredders is preparing material before it enters a Vincent screw press.
Vincent shredders can be configured for installation above the inlet of a screw press, with a transition piece used to match the shredder discharge to the press inlet.
This arrangement creates a compact material-preparation and dewatering system in which bulky feed material is reduced immediately before entering the press.
Proper material preparation can help the screw press receive a more manageable and consistent feed, particularly when processing whole fruit, fibrous material, or other bulky feedstocks.
Shredder Features and Benefits
Applications
Vincent shredders have been used for a variety of materials where size reduction or material preparation is beneficial.
Applications include:
- Pectin peel
- Whole fruit
- Produce waste
- Citrus peel
- Onion parchment
- Fibrous materials
- Food processing waste
- Carrot Juice
- Other bulky or difficult-to-handle feedstocks
Vincent’s experience with screw pressing and material processing is particularly valuable when the shredder is part of a larger dewatering system.
Not sure whether your material needs shredding? Talk with Vincent about your application.
Customization Available
Configured for Your Material and Application
Vincent has continued to evolve its shredder designs over the years, refining the equipment to improve performance across a wide range of materials and processing conditions.
Different materials can behave very differently in a shredder. Moisture content, fiber characteristics, particle size, throughput, and the desired degree of size reduction can all affect how the equipment should be configured.
That’s why Vincent works with you to understand your material and processing requirements before determining the appropriate shredder configuration. Screen or comb selection, rotor configuration, drive requirements, and other design considerations can be evaluated based on the demands of your application.
The goal is simple: provide a shredder configured to perform effectively with your material and integrate properly with your overall processing system.
Rent a Shredder and Test Your Application
You don’t always have to purchase equipment before you know whether it will work.
Vincent maintains a rental fleet that includes screw presses, shredders, static screens, and other processing equipment. Equipment can be rented for laboratory and pilot work, on-site testing, seasonal requirements, emergency applications, and other short- or long-term needs.
On-site testing can be particularly valuable when material characteristics, flow rates, temperature, or spoilage make laboratory testing impractical.
Vincent’s rental program is designed to make application testing easier before committing to a permanent equipment purchase.
Have a difficult application? Ask Vincent about testing a shredder at your facility.
Shredder Videos
Seeing the shredder in action gives you a better idea of its capabilities. View some of our favorite demonstrations:
Shredding Giant Kelp
VS-8 Shredder for Dishpods
Hemp Pellets versus the Shredder
Shredding Kava Root for Juice
FAQ
What materials can Vincent shredders process?
Vincent shredders are particularly suited to bulky and fibrous materials, including citrus peel, whole fruit, produce waste, and other difficult-to-handle materials. The appropriate configuration depends on the characteristics of the material and the desired result.
Are Vincent shredders designed for wet or dry material?
Both. Vincent shredders can process wet and dry materials. Optimum performance has generally been observed with materials containing either more than 80% moisture or less than 20% moisture.
What is the difference between a screen and a comb?
A screen controls the discharge opening and helps determine the resulting particle size. A stationary comb creates a scissors-like cutting action as the rotor blades pass between the fixed teeth. The best configuration depends on the material and application.
Can the shredder operate without a screen?
Yes. A Vincent shredder can be operated without a screen or comb when a coarse grind is acceptable.
How long do the shredder blades last?
Blade life varies with the material, operating conditions, and application. The rotor can be reversed to use the blades in the opposite direction, which can extend service life.
What size Vincent shredder do I need?
That depends on your material, required throughput, desired particle size, moisture content, and process configuration. The published capacities are only general guidelines because actual throughput can vary significantly by application. Ask us about your specific application.
Can I rent a Vincent shredder?
Yes. Vincent maintains a rental fleet that includes shredders along with screw presses and other processing equipment. Rental equipment can be used for application testing, pilot work, seasonal needs, emergency applications, and other situations.
Do I need a shredder before a Vincent Twin Screw Press?
Not necessarily. Vincent Twin Screw Presses have significant internal shredding action because of their twin-screw design. In some applications, material can be fed into the press without pre-shredding. Testing is recommended to determine whether a separate shredder is necessary.
Can Vincent test my material?
Vincent has extensive experience testing screw presses and related equipment. Contact Vincent to discuss your material and whether laboratory, pilot, or on-site testing would be appropriate.
Need Help Selecting a Shredder?
The best shredder isn’t determined by capacity alone.
Material characteristics, moisture content, particle size, throughput, tramp material, and the equipment downstream all affect the proper configuration.
Tell us what you’re processing and what you need the shredder to accomplish. Vincent Corporation can help evaluate the application and determine the appropriate equipment.
Technical Resources
Looking for more detailed information?
We’ve collected additional Vincent resources for engineers, operators, and customers evaluating shredder applications.
Shredder Brochure
Download the Vincent Shredder brochure for specifications, construction details, available configurations, and model information.
Operating Hints – Shredders
Review installation, startup, shutdown, cleaning, maintenance, and operating information for Vincent shredders.
Shredder Technical Specifications
Model information, capacity charts, and customization options
Shredder History
How we got started in the shredder business making shredders or hammer mills for citrus waste, pineapple juice, and produce waste and improved it over time.